March 19, 2024

Crazy Love: Chapter 7 – “Your Best Life…Later” (pp 119-124/Kindle LOC 1537-1606)

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person?

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings and he knows everything.

1 John 3:16-20 (emphasis mine)

There is one major theme that I pulled from this passage of Scripture.

Real love is an action, not a feeling.

Jesus gave up His life for us, SO we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16, emphasis mine).

The principles Jesus taught are contrary to the way our world works.

  • The world says we should look out for #1—ourselves. 
  • Jesus says that “there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13)

Often when we are called upon to help someone in need, we are looking at how it will help us—maybe we will get paid, or receive accolades/glory, or it will give us something to boast about to our family or friends. In other words, we are motivated by selfish desires rather than by love. But Jesus’ way says that serving others should come from a selfless, sacrificial heart. The closer we can align our heart with His by reading His Word and letting Him change us, the easier it will become to love others the way He loves us.

It is worth repeating that we absolutely cannot do this on our own. We need God to help us love others like He loves. We must ask Him to help us.

As Christians, we carry a huge responsibility—to show and to share the truth of God’s love to the rest of the world (Matthew 28:19-20). This is an incredibly difficult task when the world wants us to be like them—talk like them, act like them, and just “fit in” with them. But Jesus calls us to be different. His ways do not make sense to the rest of the world.  Followers of Christ should be known for the way they love—without judgment, criticism, or selfishness, but with compassion, selflessness, and sacrificial giving.

Let’s act on this selfless love that was so graciously poured out on us.

 

reallove

 


Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us what REAL LOVE truly is. Thank YOU for sending Your Son. Lord, we want our actions to show that we truly love others. Provide us with opportunities to pour love onto others this coming week. If we are struggling with this concept, Father, we ask that You help us see where we are having trouble and to help us work through it. Lord, we know that Love comes from You and we love because You first loved us. Thank You for that, Father. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray, Amen.

Your Assignment:
Do you struggle with the idea of “giving up your life for your brothers and sisters” or “laying down your life for your friends?” What do these passages mean to you? I encourage you to read them for yourself and see what the Lord reveals to you as you work through this concept.



If you would like to send a private message to Jennifer in regards to this blog post, you may send it to: Jennifer@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com

GCH:decaf — Meet Jordan’s Sister, Tristan

“Meet My Sister, Tristan”

I am SO excited that 2013 is here… I think every one has expectancy in their hearts when a new year comes. So much can happen in 365 days, and I can’t wait to see what the Lord does in my life!

I am so honored to be a blogger at GCH:decaf, but more so than that, I am so honored to be a part of what God is doing in YOUR lives.  I had the privilege of interviewing my younger sister, Tristan, for this blog post, and here is what we talked about.

Jordan and Tristan

Tristan is 17, and she lives in Pensacola Beach, FL. The house she (we) lives in isn’t directly on the beach, but you basically just cross a street and you’re there. It’s beautiful!

Her favorite artist is Taylor Swift. What girl doesn’t love some Taylor Swift? I know I do. It’s one of the only CDs I keep in my car to listen to at all times.

Her favorite Christian artist is Meredith Andrews. Her song “You’re Not Alone” is Tristan’s favorite! We both love the honesty in her lyrics.

Her answer to “What’s your favorite movie?” is probably shocking to some of you, considering her age… She loves “Despicable Me.” But I’m going to be honest, I could watch it 1000 times and never get tired of it. Could the minions be ANY cuter? I’ll answer that for all of us — Nope!

Her favorite TV show is “Gossip Girl”. She loves to see all of their clothes. The fashion in the show is amazing! And she loves to see all of their over the top houses/hotels/penthouses.

Tristan’s style is all about comfort. She LOVES a cute pair of skinny jeans – maybe in a fun color like red or royal blue. And she loves over-sized sweaters and anything grey, black, or white.

She loves to go to the beach with her friends. During the spring and summer, she and her friends will go out to the beach around noon and stay out all day.

Her favorite food is sushi… And even typing this right now, I could totally go for some sushi, too. YUM!

She didn’t get a chance to answer the bonus question, so I will just answer it for her! Something life-changing that has taken place was when we moved to Pensacola Beach from Jackson, MS. We moved there two years ago, and it has made such a different in Tristan’s life! She has been free to be herself, and she has had the opportunity to make friends based on her personality and hobbies.

I love you, Tris!


If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please email GCH_Decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.  We’ll be starting our next online Bible study soon!  So be sure to keep checking back for sign-up details to be posted!